but according to the department of defense, that's only a tiny representation of the real number, which is closer to 19,000, because most victims don't come forward. and of the cases that are reported, only a fraction are prosecuted. >> i knew joining the military was going to be a sacrifice. this wasn't the intended sacrifice that i was willing to make. >> reporter: in darchelle mitchell's case, the petty officer she says raped her was acquitted and it was her navy career that suffered. >> my request to re-enlist was denied and my assailant, he was advancing in the middle of all of it. >> he was promoted? >> he was promoted. >> my sexual response coordinator basically told me don't expect anything to happen from that. you need to find a way to get over it. >> former air force sergeant laura sellinger said her command made getting over it all the more difficult. by ignoring her request to keep her rape private. she said they announced it to her squadron, and she was harassed. >> and i just went to iraq through hell. and now i'm dealing with i'm a slut, i'm a whore. i've never been so ho